Inventory Specialist Intern

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Hands-on aerospace experience

Career development

Auckland location

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking an Inventory Specialist Intern to analyse warehouse storage efficiency and part‑to‑location ratios across multiple facilities. You will collect data, build visualisations, and propose practical layout improvements to speed item retrieval and support rocket production.

You will work with cross‑functional teams, gain hands‑on experience with ERP data, and develop heatmaps and dashboards that communicate findings to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed an MBA or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting
• Ability to apply operations and logistics concepts and theories
• Proactive communicator with time management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross‑functional teams

Responsibilities

• Data Collection & Analysis: collect data on parts and locations across multiple warehouse facilities
• Calculate and analyse the current part‑to‑location ratios for each warehouse
• Identify trends and saturation areas that hinder retrieval
• Develop visual tools (heatmaps, dashboards) to represent saturation levels
• Communicate findings to stakeholders
• Documentation & Presentation: prepare a comprehensive report with data analysis and proposed solutions
• Support pilot reorganisation efforts in selected locations (stretch goal)

Skills

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or MBA in Supply Chain/Logistics/Operations

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

ERP systems

Job description

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems. We're opening access to space to improve life on Earth through our Electron rocket and Neutron launch vehicle programmes, alongside our space systems business. From pioneering carbon composite rocket technology to delivering reliable and rapid launch services, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace.

About the role

We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Supply Chain team at our Auckland Production Complex. As an Inventory Specialist Intern, you will play a key role in analysing and optimising the storage efficiency of our multiple warehouse locations by calculating and measuring the ratio of parts to locations. This ratio will help identify areas of saturation where parts are densely stored, making it difficult for team members to locate items quickly and efficiently. By identifying these bottlenecks, you will enable us to implement systematic and physical improvements to our warehouse organisation, ultimately improving operational efficiency and reducing retrieval times.

During your internship, you will collect and analyse data, create visualisations to highlight problem areas, and propose actionable recommendations for improving storage layouts and part‑to‑location ratios. This project offers you the opportunity to apply your analytical and problem‑solving skills in a real‑world logistics and operations environment supporting rocket production.

This is an opportunity to work on real operational challenges and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.

What you will do

Data Collection & Analysis

• Collect data on parts and locations across multiple warehouse facilities
• Calculate and analyse the current part‑to‑location ratios for each warehouse
• Identify trends, patterns, and areas of saturation that hinder efficient part identification and retrieval
• Document findings and data quality observations
• Develop visual tools (e.g., heatmaps, dashboards) to represent the saturation levels across different warehouse locations
• Create clear and compelling data visualisations to communicate findings to stakeholders
• Collaborate with warehouse staff to validate findings and gather operational feedback

Solution Development

• Propose systematic and physical improvements to optimise storage and reduce saturation
• Create a prioritised action plan for implementation
• Work with cross‑functional teams to validate proposed solutions
• Support pilot reorganisation efforts in selected warehouse locations (stretch goal)

Documentation & Presentation

• Prepare a comprehensive report with data analysis, visualisations, and proposed solutions
• Document all processes, methodologies, and recommendations
• Present findings and proposed solutions to key stakeholders
• Hand over all deliverables to support long‑term implementation

General Responsibilities

• Take ownership for completion of tasks personally delivering results
• Commit to and complete tasks within expected time frame, holding yourself accountable
• Manage your own task list and execute allocated tasks to assigned deadlines
• Communicate effectively with peers and stakeholders using appropriate mediums
• Support specific tasks for other teammates when asked and appropriately trained
• Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed

Project Goals

• Calculate and analyse the part‑to‑location ratio for each warehouse
• Develop visual tools (e.g., heatmaps, dashboards) to highlight areas of saturation
• Propose systematic and physical improvements to optimise storage and reduce saturation
• Provide a comprehensive report and handover documentation to support long‑term implementation of solutions
• Stretch Goal: Implement a pilot reorganisation in a selected warehouse location and measure the impact on efficiency

What we are looking for

Must have

• Currently pursuing or recently completed an MBA or Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Attention to detail and a passion for data quality
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting
• Ability to apply operations and logistics concepts and theories
• Takes ownership and accountability for task completion by delivering results
• Proactive communicator, comfortable seeking clarification and feedback
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross‑functional teams
• Interest in logistics, supply chain, or warehouse management

Nice to have

• Experience in stores, warehouse, or inventory management roles
• Experience in logistics, supply chain, or data analysis roles
• Experience with process improvement or efficiency projects
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Basic knowledge of inventory management systems or ERP software (e.g., Infor, SAP, Oracle)
• Understanding of warehouse management best practices
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)
• Knowledge of aerospace or high‑reliability manufacturing environments
• Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation

What we offer

• Hands‑on experience optimising real warehouse operations for aerospace manufacturing
• Opportunity to directly impact operational efficiency across multiple facilities
• Mentorship from experienced supply chain and logistics professionals
• Professional development opportunities in supply chain management and data analytics
• Collaborative and innovative work environment at our Auckland Production Complex
• Exposure to aerospace manufacturing and rocket production operations
• Experience working with inventory management systems and ERP software
• Opportunity to present findings to senior stakeholders
• Direct contribution to improving efficiency for Electron and Neutron programmes
• Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab

Equal Opportunity

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Candidate Eligibility – US Offices Only

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Candidate Eligibility – New Zealand Offices Only

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

Start Date: November 2026

Location: Auckland, New Zealand